Health is a term used to describe a state of being. The World Health Organization (n.d.) describes health as a “state of complete physical, mental and social well-being and not merely the absence of disease or infirmity”. This definition was formulated in 1948. Like me, you are probably thinking a lot has changed since then. As the health care system is evolving, the definition no longer works.
To be considered healthy one must be free from disease. An article written by STAT News (2019) explains how the WHO’s definition of health is outdated and frankly unattainable. In the 1950s life expectancy was between 48 to 53 years of age. Diseases that were once leading causes of death in the 1950s are now both treatable and curable. With advances in technology, we can provide both early detection and treatment. Examples of diseases once causing death include diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, and high blood pressure. We are now living longer. Longer lives “foreground a new health concern: living well with multiple chronic condtions” (Fallon & Karlawish, 2019).
The Government of Canada expands on the WHO’s definition of health. They speak of the impact that social well-being plays in correlation to health. An “individual or group must be able to identify and to realize aspirations, to satisfy needs, and to change or cope with the environment” (Government of Canada, 2008). Essentially, health is seen as a “resource” to guide our everyday lives. A current definition of health would be fluid and by no means measurable as a “one size fits all”. It would take into account outside factors including socioeconomic status, education, genetics, culture etc.
References
Fallon, C., & Karlawish, J. (2019). Is the who definition of health aging well? frameworks for “health” after three score and ten. American Journal of Public Health, 109(8), 1104–1106. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://doi.org/10.2105/ajph.2019.305177
Government of Canada. (2008, September 12). What is health? - canada.ca. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.canada.ca/en/public-health/services/health-promotion/population-health/population-health-approach/what-is-health.html
STAT News. (2019, July 17). It's time to change the definition of 'health'. STAT. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.statnews.com/2019/07/17/change-definition-health/
World Health Organization. (n.d.). Constitution. Retrieved February 5, 2022, from https://www.who.int/about/governance/constitution
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